001All right. Good evening everyone and welcome back after summer. Uh we are here for the August 25th regularly scheduled board meeting of the Elsa Unified School District governing board. And at this time, I would like to ask us to join in the pledge of allegiance led by our lovely vice president, Miss Daim Weaten. All right. Our next item on the agenda is a report of action taken in close session to which I will say that in close session the board approved the following confidential student matters. Student number one uh student number ending in 449. All right, and we'll move right into our agenda hearing period, which is also public communications. So, with that, I do have three speaker cards. If there's any others out there that need to make their way up here, please pass
002them along and we'll get to that. But, in the interest of time, I'll start with what I have. And the first speaker, I'd like to invite Genesis Pucket to the microphone. And please turn it on so we can hear you and everyone can hear you. Just hit that green button. Three minutes. uh because this is a non-aggenda item. Okay. >> Hi everyone. I'm going to go as quickly as I can. I have my son and husband here who are going to pick up where I left off, but I just want to make sure I can get everything out there. Um I'm here today for the sake of full disclosure. I feel the need to make the schoolboard aware of something that has been happening the last few years. Also, I just want to say I
003got a concussion yesterday. I'm a little off right now. I'm doing my best to get through this. Um uh okay so the issue that's concerning me it affects the absolute most vulnerable people in our community that people the children the extensive needs classroom of our special education program by definition these children which includes my 12-year-old son Ford have needs that are extensive and unfortunately are not able able to be serviced under our current policy. This policy is not able to provide a safe environment for my son due to his medical needs but also does not allow for legal compliance to his IEP. I'm assuming you may be wondering why I'm just now bringing this to your attention when he's 12 years old and in the sixth grade, but that requires a bit of context. We
004used to live in L USD where my son was initially evaluated and diagnosed with autism and hyperlexia. He also has a significant speech delay, a weak immune system, a sensory disorder which keeps him from accur accurately processing pain. You put this together and you have a child that can write the alphabet in 19 languages but can't tell you if someone hurts him. He can't give an accurate description of that person, can't advocate for himself, can't accurately feel what is happening in his body, and can't accurately describe the bit that he can feel. Add all this together and you get a kid who can and has been hours from death before we're able to detect the first symptom. Due to this, he needs a dedicated aid who understands his needs and knows what to watch for
005and is able to detect when something isn't quite right. LD admitted they did not have the capability to care for him and instead opted for a non-public placement, paying to send him to a private school in Santa Monica that could. During this time of Smart Start, I moved to Elsa Gundo and his IEP as well as his tuition were absorbed by ESUSD. In the very first meeting, his former case manager, Sue Harry. He's no longer with the district. She violated the law. Prior to the meeting, she let me know she would be formally recommending that Ford immediately be moved to Elsagundo. Despite the fact that schools were shut down due to COVID, Elsagundo was not able to evaluate him. We were not able to see the facilities. She had never heard of hyperlexia and had
006no knowledge of the district having previous experience caring for a child that doesn't feel pain. this is illegal. I let Sue know I was aware this wasn't allowed in that she immed and then she immediately backtracked and recommended he stay at Smart Start until we were able to confirm that Elsa Gundo could properly care for him. I met with Sue in good faith several more times throughout the year and I expressed my genuine desire for my son to attend school in Elsa Gundo. It's why we moved here and as long as we were sure the services he needs be provided. Sue seemed understanding, agreed my son needed aid at all times from the time he left my arms till he was returned to me and that I would be able to freely communicate with anyone
007who um was caring for him. She assumed me we' coordinated a meeting a month before school started where we would meet his care team. We would work out all the details. Um I reached out to her several times over the summer and was told she was working on scheduling. With two weeks left before school started, Sue told me there would be no transition meeting as a staff isn't even here over the summer and that she didn't know where I got that from, despite the fact I had had more than seven conversations with her about it. I was also told that while Ford would have an aid with him, it would be three different over here comes Keith. >> Three minutes also. Keith, >> thank you. Uh it would be three different aids. He would be
008passed to a new aid every two hours and I was not allowed to speak with any of them at any time. Any communication needs to be directed to the special education teacher and they will pass the messages back and forth. Let me be clear. I have never ever or would have agreed to move into Elsa Gondor under those circumstances. I was devastated and terrified. So I went to Center Street and explained this to all the staff. They were appalled and recommended that I go to the school district and speak with Jack Plotkin as he was the one who could give approval for the exceptions I needed. So the day before school started, I went to Jack and I explained to him that just last year, Ford developed Rahham Blossus from the flu. And from the
009time we saw the first symptom of Ford bre uh dragging his toe, he was paralyzed from the chest down eight hours later and would not have made it through the night had we not been to the hospital. I let him know Ford needs one person who knows him well enough to know if something is wrong and I need to be able to communicate with everyone who cares for him. I was told that the top priority regarding AIDS was to ensure the children did not get to attach to one person. This is why they rotate the aids every two to three hours. I was told no exception would be given. I would not be allowed to communicate with the aid and that there is no one to appeal to. The buck stops with him. I left
010that meeting feeling as though Jack didn't care if my child died in the fire as long as it didn't happen on school property. I went back to center street and told them I would I would not be bringing forward to school tomorrow and would be filing legal action and have him move to either Smart Start or another one of the public placement schools. reporting Sue Harry. That was the moment the agreement was made between me, the foreign principal, assistant principal, special education, teacher, aid, and the rest of the staff that we were going to do what was best for Ford. And none of us would tell Jack. I want to be clear that none of the employees who entered into this agreement are currently working in the district and the aid he had for the
011first and third tragically passed away during the last week of school. All the three people came together to not only do what was right for a vulnerable little boy, but they'd saved the district from imminent legal action as a cost of a non-public placement. I say all this to say the only reason I've waited this long is because former Center Street staff came together and chose to break policy. So many people stuck their necks out for my son and I would never have risked getting them in trouble. But now I'm asking for a review of these policies as they pertain to certain children in those extensive need classes. The staffers should never have had to put themselves in a position and risk their jobs to protect my son, but I thank God every day that
012they did. The policies I am asking to review are the following. Please note, I'm not sure if these are actual policies or just preferences. I would have seen anything actual policy, but would like to request them in writing. One, the policy regarding instructional aids that unless there is a specific need for a child to have one aid that they will have two to three aids and rotate throughout the day. I have never been I do have Elijah. >> My 18-year-old. >> Okay, Elijah. >> Your turn. >> He's my theater kid. You should be fine up here. >> Okay, good. >> All right. Go ahead. You got another three minutes, Elijah. >> Thank you. Okay. >> Can you read it from there? >> Yeah, I can. >> I got it. Okay. Um, I have not ever
013been made aware of any guidelines for what the district believes warrants a child for having a dedicated aid. For the sake of fairness and consistency, a guideline needs to be established. Uh, two, parents are not allowed to communicate directly with aids. This is not sufficient for children who are unable to communicate with their parents. Three, aids are not allowed to attend IEP meetings despite being the person that spends the most time with the student, knows them best, and is the only person who sees them in all settings. They have valuable insight that is necessary for making informed decisions. Four, parents are not allowed to meet with the aid prior to their child being left alone with them and despite the fact that the aid may need help may need to help them in the bathroom
014with changing their clothes if if they have an accident and other intimate situations. Uh we cannot be asked to have our children passed to various strangers throughout the day who we are not allowed to speak with. No parent would ever be comfortable with that for a child who can't tell you if someone was hurting them. Number five, AIDS do not start until 8:00 a.m. when school starts and are off as soon as school is over. This creates a gap as these children need someone to come get them from their parents before school starts and get them to class before 8:00 a.m. They also need to be able to walk back to the parents at the end of the day and possibly stay late in the event that the parent is caught in traffic facing emergency
015etc. In the meantime, what mean every parent of a child with extensive needs needs to know is how do we formally request the exceptions that we need for these policies? I have asked for years and have never gotten an answer. If the answer is that ESUSD is not able to make these exceptions and would prefer we pursue um district funded non-public placements, then we need to know that too. We need to clearly know uh once and for all of what the district offers and how it plans to facilitate care for the students. Uh it is not equipped to serve us. I do want you to know that I'm working through this uh with this teacher um Rose Arenss with Miss Bevans and staff, but cannot in good conscience continue to work out arrangements that only
016benefit me when I see so many other families going through the same issues. We all deserve to know our opinions and not just those who know to ask. Thank you for listening to me. >> Okay. Thank you, Elijah. Thank you, Pucket family. Appreciate your time. >> All right. >> Okay. And with that, I believe we're closing public communications and I'm fairly certain staff will follow up with you all if you've haven't already. Sounds like you're already in place with connecting. So, thank you. Okay. All right. Our next item tonight is the administration of the oath of office of our student representative, Mr. Brandon Kim. So, Mr. Kim, if you would kindly meet me over here at the podium. We're going to do an oath of office. >> All right, here we go. This is a
017raise your right hand opportunity. So you can say, "I, Brandon Kim, do solemnly affirm >> I, Brandon Kim, do solemnly affirm >> that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States >> that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of California >> and the Constitution of the State of California >> against all enemies, foreign and domestic." >> against all enemies, foreign and domestic. >> That I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of the United States. that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of California >> and the Constitution of the State of California. >> That I take this obligation freely >> without any mental
018reservation >> or purpose of evasion. >> And I will well and faithfully discharge >> the duties upon which I am about to enter. the duties upon which I'm about to enter. >> I believe you. I accept your oath and I welcome you to our board of education. >> Thank you so much. [cheering] Okay, now that we welcome Brandon and we get him settled into his seat, he can do his very first report if you would be so kind. If you're ready, no pressure, but if you're ready, now's a good time. >> Yeah, thank you. Uh, thank you to the board and I'm very excited to be in this position. So, thank you all. But, um, let's get right into it. Um so back in July uh me and the ASB officers and our junior governor
019and our ASB director went to a kataka camp which is basically a time where uh we can all discuss what we want to do for the ne the next year and like discuss the theme and everything that's going to happen throughout the year. And then after that there was the back to school rally for the teachers of course and um we had some student speakers and it's where we all welcome the teachers back and then we had link crew and freshman orientation. So, we had some uh of our link crew leaders welcome the freshman back in and kind of settle them into the high school setting from the middle school. And then there was the ASB retreat which was where ASB meets um that evening and we all decorate the school and we kind of
020make sure it's all themed to what the school year theme is which is this year is uh Gundella. So, it's Coachella themed uh year for the high school. And then after that was registration. Uh so we all registered our classes and all all business stuff. and then right into it with the first day of school and then senior sunrise that evening. So, and that morning. So, we met up at like 6:30 a.m. and we watched the sunrise together as our last time as our last first day of our senior class. And then, uh jumping right into the second day of school, there was the back to school assembly. So, me and the officers all coordinated our back to school assembly to announce the theme officially to uh the student body of that Gundoella. And then
021that Friday was also the first football game. same Gundella theme, wearing the rave stuff, wearing all the concert going stuff. Uh, very fun. And then just quick athletic updates. So, it was girls volleyball, uh, flag football started. They're playing a game right now. And then girls golf had their first win yesterday as well. But that's all. Thank you guys. >> All right. Well done. Thank you for being with us. And that was a very thorough excellent start right there. So, good job. All right. Uh next this evening we have a uh an update rather from the Elskundit Foundation. We welcome Chair Christa Gabon. Hello. Thank you and thank you for coming to my board meeting earlier today. Dr. Johnson and Tracy. Um thanks for having me tonight. Happy to be here. Happy to welcome in
022the new school year. Uh, first off, I just want to let everyone here and at home know that we are so happy that we fulfilled our FY26 pledge grant of $2 million to the district. So, we are off and running to do it again this year. Um, we had a very successful summer academy this year. We had a few new offerings uh provided, not provided, but in partnership with Scrock. This year we offered some uh classes for the middle school students which has been lacking in years. middle school students need more to do during the summer and we recognize that. And we had electrical engineering. Um we had hair, makeup, and nails. We had a first responder CPR class and a few more. And also, of course, our backed by popular demand, our cooking academy,
023our art class, our learning journeys, our outdoor sports activities, um and all your favorites. Uh this summer we also had ED board members and some of you that I saw there were at the Chargers training day camp. They're a wonderful partner with our district. So we wanted to make sure we showed up in support of their kickoff for the season. We also uh painted our mural on center in Mariposa kicking off our theme this year which is where curiosity takes center stage. Uh, so I hope everybody's driven past and seen it and I appreciate all the board members that were able to help us facilitate creating the mural and painting the mural. Uh, we had a lot of, uh, I want to thank NCL for coming out to help and a lot of community members
024and our special little friend Jack across the street and his mom for showing up every day and putting in those hours. He was awesome. Um, also as Brandon mentioned, uh, we were happy to support in in partnership with Kowanas the link crew and the web events at the high school and middle school wing welcoming our freshman and our sixth graders to school. Uh, we also met with the new teachers and welcomed them to the district and let us know how we can partner. We talked to them about how we can partner with each other and let us let them know um, what ed does. We also went to the back to school rally and welcomed everyone in ESUSD back to the district. Uh, and we handed out our t-shirts for this year. So, thank you
025to all the teachers that were wearing them last Friday. We love seeing the photos. We love seeing you walk around in our shirts. Um, it makes us feel really special that you guys are wearing them and we're in solidarity together. Uh, this fall we have some offerings with our academy which are of course Seaside Strengths for the elementary schools. Um, it usually runs from midepptember till Jul uh January. And for the middle school, we have a yearbook class as well as a baking academy taught by uh Colleen Castro from Mom's Bakery. So, it should be an awesome class. I might try to sneak in. I'll just shrink down and try to be a middle schooler. And actually, I think they're all taller than me anyway, but um I'm going to take that class, too. [laughter]
026Um also there's a model in UN at the high school which is a class but it's also um the convention component of it is an afterchool uh com thing that you can go through ed again I want to thank Tracy and Dr. Johnson for coming to our board meeting today uh for the information and the engaging conversation. We always appreciate the partnership and what you guys have to say coming to our meeting. Uh we are currently in our community appeal for the fall. So, from now until 9:27, Chevron will be matching all of our donations up to $100,000. So, for those of you at home that always look for the time to get your donations in and have it matched, this is a great time. Also, a couple dates to keep on your calendar. We
027have our Sketchers Walk. I'm sure many of you have seen the Friendship Walk signs all around town. Uh, this is one of our biggest fundraisers and one of our greatest partners. So, on October 18th is the Sketchers Walk. So, please sign up. We already have the team set up through our uh esedf.org website. >> Christa, is that an earlier I meant to ask in the meeting. Is that an earlier date this year? >> Um then from last year because it it varies. I >> I want to say last year it was the 20th, but it has been right around Halloween before. >> Okay. Oh yeah, >> um thank you. >> Yeah, anytime. >> Um so yes, please sign up for that. they do uh it's a your registration is um multiplied many times over with
028what they give back to our district. So, it's very much appreciated. So, that's a great one to sign up for. Also, um November 19th is Ladies Night Out, so save that date. It's always the Thursday before we go on our Thanksgiving break. And Winter Wonderland this year will be on 125. Uh that should be a wonderful day. And I heard there's lots of snow and lots of extra little things for the littles this year. Also, something that was brought to our attention at the board meeting today, um, we have had people say in the past sometimes they feel that tickets are a little pricey at times, like Winter Wonderland, for example, maybe $50 a ticket, but that does include all your food and activities. Um, and one thing I want people to always remember is
029that it is a fundraiser. We're not making money off this. Everything we take in, we give right back. And so to circumvent that, we've made all of our tickets available right now. So if you want to, you know, pace it out on yourself so you can buy one ticket now, one ticket later, and that way it's not such a heavy burden when it comes Christmas time or something like that, we thought that may might be an easier way for families to appreciate it, to look forward to it. So if you go on to our website at esedf.org, you should find all the tickets. I believe Gayla is not up yet, but all of the uh the Sketchers is available to register for Ladies Night Out and Winter Wonderland are up there. Um, and that's it
030for me. Thank you so much for having me. Any questions? No. All right. Thank you. Thank you for being here. We appreciate you. All right. Next up on our agenda, an update from ESTA. And I believe Mr. Kelly is here. Come on up. Well, it's great seeing so many familiar faces on that side of the podium. It's been a while for a few of you, not so long for a few of you, seeing whereas it was just the past weekend. Um, I don't know what's more impressive, Tracy's shoes or the amount of effort that goes into starting a shoe a school year, but those heels are amazing. Uh, you know, we've got everybody from the custodial staff to the IT to the teachers to you folks all putting in the hard work behind the scenes
031to make the school year one successful year. I know the teachers did their part as well. Um took plenty of time to get the classroom set up, the curriculum ready so we could start from day one and get things going. Um so we appreciate all that. From another standpoint, um it's going be great working with you guys again this school year throughout the bargaining collective process. We will be looking to sunshine our proposal here in the near future just so you guys are aware so we can get that ball rolling as soon as possible and uh hopefully not take um hopefully do it in a nice quick manner, so to speak. Um, with that being said, enjoy your time. I do appreciate the somewhat nice AC I got to keep in for this little short
032time. And I will go back to my hot, humble abode. So, enjoy. >> Thank you, Mr. Kelly. And do we have anyone here from CSEA tonight to speak? I don't think we do. So, we will see them next time. All right. Uh with that we come to our last special presentation and that would be on the first day of school by Dr. Johnson. Good evening, board president Miller Arnicki, Vice President Weeden, members of the board, Tracy. I am here to present about the first day of school. A lot goes into delivering the first day of school. Um, and uh, there's a lot of behind the-scenes work uh, from our maintenance and operations staff, our admin assistants, our principles, our teachers, our support staff such as classified unit, our instructional assistants, everyone had puts a helping
033hand into making it happen. And in turn, uh, the first day of school is a celebratory event. You mean like versus the doldrums of having to go back to school. I, for one, was very happy to turn my kids back over to school. So, uh, in the, uh, tradition we've kind of started here is, you know, getting a quote from each of our principles about how the first day went. So, let's hear from them. First, at Eagle's Nest, the new Eagle's Nest, um, we have our executive director, Hannah Ford. She says, "Our first day of preschool was filled with big feelings from our littlest learners. A few tears, lots of joy, and so much excitement and curiosity as we begin our first year welcoming our littlest littles. I can't wait to watch them grow, learn,
034explore, and become more confident each day. Thank you, Hannah. I was in the room of two-year-olds, and I haven't been around a 2-year-old since my own two-year-old, and they're doing a great job in there. All right, over at Richmond, our new principal, Sean Branlin. When we see one another, listen to one another, and value one another, we create the kind of school where everyone can thrive. They have a great tradition over at Richmond where the whole staff comes out and welcomes students into school. It's an awesome day, and I really appreciate the launch from our new principal, John Brandlin. All right, let's keep it going at Center Street. From also our new principal, Dr. Mike Bosler. High fives for a fantastic new school year. We're looking forward to building new connections, celebrating one another's successes,
035and working together to make this our best year yet. There's our friend Kyle, um, who is a legend over at Center Street. If you've had the pleasure, uh, and just really appreciate, you know, a great example of relationships on campus that extend beyond just the classroom. All right, our Bulldogs. Want to just make note of all those purple shirts from the Ed Foundation, the staff supported. There you go. Getting it done. Thank you. Thank you from Principal Dr. Davalantes. Through our smart start activities, students built connections, learned campus expectations, and gained confidence to begin the year successfully. Our staff came together to ensure every bulldog felt known, supported, and ready to learn. It was a wonderful beginning to an exceptional school year. And I just want to credit the middle school staff that has really
036emphasized that starting middle school is about building relationships. It's about learning the systems, about getting comfortable with the campus. And that extends up to eighth grade as well too. That is not just a sixth grade transition. Um, so just a major credit to Dr. Davalantis and their staff. And then at the high school, all right, Principal Ghart, the first days of school at ESHS were a huge success. From senior sunrise, there's a very nice picture right there. I love that picture. Doesn't that look good? uh to SRO visits to a special guest with the dance team. Our Eagles are ready to soar for the 2627 school year. Mr. Gart likes to get in a little joke there. All right, keeping it moving. Our new principal at Arena is well too, none other than Principal Ghart.
037Uh at Arena, the Arena school team is excited to welcome students back for learning and community. Mr. Williams is a maestro at supporting and encouraging students to be their best selves both in class and with each other. #dolphin pride supporting the new logo and the mascot there. Thank you, Steve. And then finally, just to circle around, you know, great first days are made possible by classified staff and behind the scenes. Um, so our M and custodial have worked all summer in order to prepare and repair the campuses. Uh, our IT team makes sure that the first day that things are working. That is not an easy task because typically in the first day a lot of things don't work. Um, so thank you Danny and to your team. And then of course the administrative offices,
038those front offices are just in just fast, fast, fast mode from August, beginning of August on and it really just does not slow down until we get to holiday break. So just kudos to those folks in the front offices. We have very strong teams. So thank you. And that concludes the first day of school and I'll take any questions if you have them. >> Board members, any questions, comments, whatnot. Yeah. Excellent. Thank you for bringing it all together in one nice presentation since we couldn't get to everywhere on that single day. All right, we shall now move into less fun things and we have the consent agenda. We have uh items A through Y. And I'm actually going to pull item A because we need to break that down a little bit. So, can I
039ask May I have a motion for items B through Y? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Okay. Any discussion on any of these items? >> All right. Here we go. Brandon, your preferential vote at this time. If you wish to give one, you can say I, you can say nay, you can abstain. What would you like to do in this? >> I. >> Okay, good answer. Okay, we like that. But you have the option to say any of the others. Uh board members in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. 5-0. I'm going to go back to item A. I'd like to note that I was not in attendance for the special called Board of Education meeting. So, I cannot participate in that adoption of minutes or I should abstain. So,
040I'm wondering if we can break it down. Maybe we'll place the item back. >> So, let's pull uh the special from this one. How would you like to >> Yeah. So, my recommendation would be to to pull the item and then we'll bring it back on September 8th with the corrections, admitted corrections. >> Okay. Um and so in that case, we will pull the July 28th and then could I have a motion to approve the July 14th minutes? Anyone? Anyone? July 14th minutes. motion. >> I move approval of uh the July 14th um minutes. >> Second. Okay. Any discussion on those minutes? >> Okay. Brandon, you weren't >> a question. >> Yes. >> So, if I wasn't here, I I'm still voting or I'm not voting because I wasn't at that meeting. >> Oh, you
041weren't at that meeting either. Oh, >> then we need >> you can abain actually. So, that's why I was going to break it down to do them separately actually that you can abstain. >> Okay. >> From that. >> Okay. So, with that being said, Brandon wasn't here yet, so we're not going to take a preferential vote. Thank you, though. We know you'd give it. Um, all board members in favor, please say I. I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Any abstensions on July 14th? >> I. >> Okay. And we have one abstension and four approvals. >> All right. And so, we will end up bringing that back. I I um think we could approve them though. Hold on. I am not listed in there. So they are they are correctly accorded. We can approve them. We
042can approve them. Okay. >> So let's just do that. >> Sorry. >> Yeah. No, I just I just didn't want to be putting them all together. So uh with that, may I have a motion to approve the July 28th minutes? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Okay. Any discussion on those items? >> All right. Board members in favor of approval, please say I. >> I. >> Those opposed? Those abstaining? That would be me. So, they are approved. Four one 401. >> No, that's okay. I may not have been explaining myself clearly in that moment, >> but now we're all good and we can move on beyond our consent items. So, uh, first up, business services. Item A, approval to change a funding source for a measure yes to general fund for JR construction. Dr. Gooden,
043would you like to further explain? >> Thank you, President Miller. Zarnicki. Item 6A is being brought forward to clarify and correct the funding source that we was used to pay for the repair and placement of the flooring um that was part of the project at Arena High School. There was a clerical error on the May 12th action item that was approved at that time. >> I move approval of 6A >> second. >> Any discussion on this item? >> Brandon, your preferential vote. >> I board members in favor please say I. >> I. I. Any opposed? Motion carries. 5-0. Item 6B. Also for Dr. Gooden, acceptance of notice of completion for the high school exterior paint. >> Thank you. 6B. Always good news. We always like to bring forward these notices of completion. And if you've
044driven by the high school, you'll notice a fresh coat of paint. Everything's finished. So, I recommend approval. >> I move approval of action item 6B. >> Second. >> Any discussion on this item? Brandon, is it looking good over there? I >> Okay, [laughter] >> excellent. We took that preferential vote with an I. >> Board members in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Any oppose? No. The motion carries 5-0. All right. Item 6C, ratification approval to enter an agreement with Brigade. Brigade for professional development services. >> Thank you. 6 point or I'm sorry, 6C is a ratification. Um, we offer professional development on Friday for our food services staff. As you know, we have um we are fully doing our own food services now. So, we brought in a consultant that was teaching um some
045new recipes and just how to standardize processes across the school site. So, they were busy learning on Friday. >> Do we have a motion? >> I move approval for item 6C. >> Second. Any discussion on this item? >> All right. Uh Brandon, your preferential vote. >> I. >> And board members in favor? I >> I any oppose? Motion carries 5-0. And uh lastly, this is a very similar item. Dr. Gooden, >> thank you. 60 is an approval for a consultant that's going to work with us throughout this school year with our food services. And again, since we are doing our own food services in house, the consultant is going to work with us on standardizing recipes and just making sure that our processes align from school site to school site. So, we look forward to
046seeing some new offerings. All right. >> I move approval on 16. >> Second. Any discussion? >> Brandon, your preferential vote. >> I board members in favor. >> I Any opposed? Motion carries 5. All right. Item seven into human resources approval of board policies and administrative regulations. Uh Miss Field, would you like to explain? >> Yes. This action item requests board of education approval of policies and administrative regulations which contain proposed updates and new policies recommended by the California School Boards Association. The updates are aligned with state and fed federal regulations to ensure compliance. They were presented to the board at a previous meeting as information pending action and there were no recommended revisions received. I recommend approval. >> I move approval of item 7A. Second. >> Any discussion on this item? All right. Brandon, preferential
047vote. >> I. >> Board members in favor. >> I. Any opposed? Motion carries. 5 Z. Now into educational services. Uh item 8A, approval contract with LEO for outdoor science and conservation education. Dr. Yang, would you like to further explain? >> Sure, it's my pleasure. This is a contract with LEO to provide outdoor science school the week of November 16th through 20th for our sixth graders at the middle school. Leo provides all aspects of the week-long camp and I recommend approval. >> I make approval for item 8A. >> Second. >> All right. Any discussion on this item other than no, I don't think you're allowed to go, Miss Beley. >> Uh, [laughter] can I repeat the dates again? >> Sure. It is November 16 through 20. >> So, are they only going one week this year
048instead of two? >> That is what the contract stated. >> Wonder how they're doing that. >> That's interesting. >> I can follow >> you. Might want to look on that because I know the last couple years, right, >> they've had to go two weeks because they can only use >> um >> Wrightwood. Yes, Rightwood. Um, and I think if I am not mistaken, >> it says week one and two on there. >> so the dates are just there's >> Yeah, the dates might >> Okay. All right. That makes >> clarify a board. >> Yeah. Yeah. Um, and I believe this is going to be year number 66 or 67 because Elsa Gundo, just because nobody's heard my story lately, um, was one of the original seven schools that started the outdoor science school project in
0491960. And we are the only one who has never missed. >> What was the first one like? Sorry, >> we'll follow up with a board update. >> That's gonna that's gonna come back later. >> I I apologize there. The second week is November 30th to December 4th. >> Thank you for clarifying. Glad we we had the time to sus that out. >> Yes. Thank you. >> Well, people are making jokes. Okay. All right. Any other discussion on these items on this item? All right. >> Brand Brandon, your preferential vote. >> I. >> And board members, all in favor? I I any opposed? >> All right. Motion carries 5-0. Exciting to continue that tradition. All right. Item 8B. Tell us about Yogaivity. Sure. The learning connection is pleased to offer partnerships with various vendors to provide
050enrichment opportunities for students in the program. And this is an agreement with Yogativity to provide weekly enrichment programming for students in TK to third grades through two rotating programs. the outdoor explorers, which utilizes school garden spaces for hands-on nature exploration and environmental learning, as well as mindful bites and clay creations, where students will explore nutrition, gardening, mindfulness, and creative expression through garden-based cooking and clay activities. I recommend approval. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Okay. Any discussion on this item? I hope we're really clear about which things are edible versus clay. Just just gonna say that's um any any other. Okay. Brandon Brand Brandon, sorry. Your preferential vote. >> I I >> board members in favor. >> I any opposed? Motion carries 5-0. And item 8 C about future prep. All right. This is an
051agreement with future prep to provide enrichment workshops for students in TLC across all sites during the 2627 school year. They will serve students in fourth to 8th grade through a 10-week fall workshop series offered on either AI literacy or personal finance and business entrepreneurship with one session offered each week. I recommend approval. >> I have a motion. >> I move approval of action item >> 8 C. >> Second. >> All right. Any discussion on this item? Can you um sorry I'm trying to jot those things down too. Uh can you there's AI literacy and entrepreneurship business entrene entrepreneurship and personal finance. Okay. Thank you. >> Yeah sure. And specifically um business entrepreneurship and personal finance is going to be at Richmond and then AI literacy will be at center and the middle school. >> Exciting
052offerings. This is great. Okay. Any other discussion or questions? All right. Brandon, your preferential vote. >> I >> and board members in favor. >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. 5-0. >> All right. Moving into student support services 9A, approval of master contract with inclusive education and community partnership. >> Go ahead, Miss Arens. >> Hi. Um, we are seeking approval for the master contract with inclusive education and community partnerships. It's a nonpublic agency that provides intensive behavior supports to our special education students as required by their um individual education plans. And I recommend approval. >> I move approval of action item 9A. >> Second. >> Right. Any discussion? Brandon, your preferential vote. >> I >> and board members in favor. >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries 5 9B master contract with e Emerges. You'll
053say it right. You'll say it right. Healthcare staffing is errands. You have it right. Um so we're seeking approval of the master contract with emerges healthcare staffing. It provides qualified medical, educational and behavioral professionals as required by students healthcare plans, 504 plans or IEPs. And I recommend approval. >> I move approval of action item 9B. >> Second. >> Any discussion on this item? All right, Brandon, your preferential vote. >> I. >> And board members in favor? >> I. Any opposed? Motion carries. 5-0. >> And lastly, 9C, approval of three-year contract with seven mindsets. >> Okay. So, we are seeking a three-year contract with seven mindset that provides researchbased social emotional learning. Um, it's a platform that provides student surveys and learning modules for students and staff. And I recommend approval. Move approval for item 9
054C. >> Second. >> Any discussion on this item? All right, Brandon, your preferential vote. >> I. >> And board members in favor, please say I. >> I. Any opposed? >> Nope. Motion carries. 5 Z. All right. We'll move into information pending action. We have the first review of board policy 6158 for independent study. Dr. Gong, would you like to talk about that a little bit? >> Sure. Thank you. This board policy contains proposed changes recommended by the California School Boards Association in alignment with state and federal regulations. Namely, I'm updating the language surrounding a the minimum number of days required for independent study as a result of education code 46300E. Following review by the board of education this evening, they will be brought back for approval at the next meeting. >> Okay. Thank you so
055much for bringing that forward. All right, we will take a look at theformational calendar now that we are back in action. Look at all the good things coming up in September. We are definitely back up to speed here. So yeah, we do see Jogathon on there already. PTA is already off and running. Haha. All right. Sorry, had to be said. Okay, that will be there for everyone to to uh appreciate and add to their own personal calendars. All right, with that we will move into board member reports and we will start with Mr. Glenn. >> Thank you, Tracy. Uh I just want to touch on a few things. Um there's been lots that have happened since we were here last, but uh some that happened in the last uh week or so were uh really
056great expressions of the vitality of our district. And um one I really enjoyed was the back to school rally. And I just want to mention how wonderful it was to have students there speaking about uh teachers who supported them and maybe changed the course of their lives. And I want to say that one of those teachers is in the room. So uh it it's really nice to hear your student speak about you and because it was a few years since you had taught that student. So it that was uh that was very touching. Um another thing I want to mention is on our uh back to school day um all of us board members uh went to the particular school that uh falls upon us to attend their PTA meetings. So, they're like our pet
057schools and um >> I I uh I was at Center Street School and um I I thought like I'll get there early before the crowd. So, I was there at >> 7:45 and there was probably a hundred people waiting to get in. It was like the Super Bowl or something that and the vibe was amazing like everybody was in a great mood. But what what uh struck me most was uh how many parents were there uh to bring their little ones uh to class and but also they came loaded down with supplies for the teachers and that I thought was just amazing to see because they are really responding to the love and care they're getting from their teachers and the little things they can bring just to show their appreciation was was really nice
058to see. And uh the final thing um I want to mention was uh because we had Chris Kaban here earlier uh talking about the gayla and one of the fundraisers at the gayla is um the silent auction and uh so each year a friend of mine uh donates a ride on a racing boat that I sail on. And um this past Sunday I had the pleasure of having Dr. Moore and her extended family uh out for a sale. So uh it's great that Dr. Moore is still supporting us and uh was uh fun to spend time with her. So and the Brooklyn >> super cool. >> All right, hold on just a second. All right, so it has been a while since we last met minus the special medium which was very short. Um, so
059I'm going to go through a little bit of a list. Uh, first I'd like to thank the Chargers, and yes, I do thank the Chargers, uh, for once again inviting all of us to the first day of training camp because what that really means to me is that it is football season, and we all know how I feel about that. Um, I would like to thank everybody who came out to movie in the park and I know that's not our event. Um, but many of our student um, clubs were raising money at the event and I think had lots of success. Um, so while it is a Rotary event, it was certainly an an opportunity for a lot of our student groups to raise some funds for the programs that they are running throughout the
060year. and it was very successful. So, that's great. Um, I was excited that we cut the last ribbon of the ES bond. Um, and then got a chance to kind of see and also feel the difference as we now have working ACs in all of the rooms. but the renovations to the Eagle's Nest, the playgrounds, the arena classroom, um the district offices, and a whole lot of things that we can't see. Lot of stuff we can't see. Um last week was busy. Um my favorite event will always still be however the teach the new teachers welcome. Um, I love coming back and seeing the new teachers and the fact that three of the new teachers in the room were former students. Um, just always makes Mayday. Uh, first day of school, um, or the back
061to school rally, Dr. Johnson dancing is always a treat. Um first day of school I was at my pet school uh which was the high school um where the cheerleaders um were out in full force as the students walked in. Um, I had my SoCal Rock board meeting and I just recently with as the meeting was starting got a um a message from my superintendent at Scrock um telling me that we had three of our welding students um who had applied for SpaceX positions. all three get the job and that one of them was actually a 2026 high school graduate. I believe I don't remember which school, either Roondo or PV, but a brand new graduate who had welding experience because of Scrock and is now going to be working for SpaceX. So, I cannot
062say enough about some of the wonderful things that we're doing there. and we are going to be kicking off our um anniversary as we are going to start celebrating that we have been around for 60 years as of 2027. Um the SR the superintendent's round table event at the art fair was wonderful. Um the art fair in general is just an amazing community event. Um but that was a really kind of fun way to to celebrate. Uh, and finally, our first equal home football game. And the fact that I get to run the change this Thursday again means football season is here. Um, just today before I was coming to the meeting, I received notice that I will be joining Frank and Tracy for another term serving the students and the parents of Elsa Gundo.
063And I couldn't be more proud and excited to continue the journey. Thank you. Congratulations to you three. It's very exciting. Um, first I just want to say welcome back and wish all of our students, teachers, staff, and administrators and families an amazing school year. I hope everyone had a great summer and is coming into this year feeling rested, excited, and ready for what's ahead. Um, my summer was definitely a busy one. A lot of it was spent being a mom and traveling for baseball with Jax. We had an incredible summer filled with baseball, family time, travel, and some really special memories along the way. It was nice to have a little time away from the normal school year routine and just enjoy being with my family. But I'm also really happy to be back. There's
064always something exciting about the beginning of the new school year, the fresh start, seeing everyone back on campus, and watching our students begin another year of growing and learning. I'm looking forward to another great year serving on this board, supporting our schools, and continuing to be present and involved throughout our district. I hope everyone has a wonderful, successful, and fun school year. Welcome back. So, it is good to be back and I think the highlight of being back is the fact that we are back together and that to me makes it even more special. A lot of the events have already been covered, so I will simply just go over the first day of school at Richmond. There's something amazing about the energy standing outside. Now, I will tell you it was hot hot and
065I think that area is probably the hottest, but the energy, the clapping, the joy standing with the teachers and staff and admin just welcoming in all of the students, it was absolutely amazing. And for the students, the the newest ones to returning students, you could see the joy and like Frank said, carrying their bags of goods and having their parents help them. It was just a wonderful experience. And then I stuck around for the TK and K. And that was again another wonderful experience. Our very own Dr. Gooden, I got to see her walk in her baby. And so it's just a testament because you not only does she work here, but her she trusts our district with her own baby. And so it's a it's a beautiful thing. And so I'm happy to be
066back. I'm happy to be re-engaged and dedicated and I look forward to another very successful school year. Very good. All right. Uh let me quickly just mention we had a facility advisory council meeting last week and this at this point we're looking at numbers. We're looking at numbers more than we're looking at buildings and you know railings and stuff. So um we uh we are down to the last $2 million that is going to go to this and that little things. Nothing worthy of ribbon cutting. So yay for having had our ribbon cutting. So glad that we can give that space back to our little eaglets and let them be in the space they were meant to have. So, I hope they're enjoying them. Um, and I also hope Arena students like being back. I
067saw one of the students coming in today as we were leaving from the Edward meeting. So, I'm I'm excited that things are back where they're supposed to be with the people doing things that they want to do in their space. So, that's exciting stuff. Um, I'll just throw uh kudos out to all the district staff that helped get the school year off the ground. You covered that nicely in your presentation. But, but we know it's a lot. We know it's hard. We know there's many nooks and crannies that need attention and we appreciate it because it looked good. It felt good. Um, I was over at the east side of town between the middle school and Center Street and I just want to say like I had a great time walking and talking with some
068very nervous but excited sixth graders. We talked about what it felt like and what they could do to make it feel comfortable once they got in. So, that was that was kind of an awesome experience. Um, for me at least, I think it was for them, too. But um I also want to thank uh ESPD for being out in front of some of our schools with coffee setups. We we know we have PTA doing it as well. But um it was nice to see ESPD out there and um being there and doing what they do best and connecting with our community, making sure everybody's having a good and safe time. So it was great to see them as well. Um Christa covered the ED Foundation board meeting we had this morning, so I don't need
069to rehash that. It was lovely to be in the room with so many engaged, caring, and super long-term volunteers in some cases, but a lot of new faces, too. So, it's great to see that energy in that room channeled for our $2 million pledge again. Um, the only other thing I want to mention is coming up, we're just starting to plan things for United Against Hate Week, which comes up in October. And I'm, as you know, I serve on the South Bay Community Coalition Against Hate. We're talking about once again here at the district hosting a food collection for the Ridstone Center and that'll be for a week or two in October and ideally we'll also find some partnership with the city committee the DEI committee that helps put on an event at this time
070too. So that's just an early stages that we're working on. If any board members want to come to those meetings with me, let me know. It's open to all staff as well. So Susan's there all the time. I'm just saying. So you know she we we we do have room for anybody that wants to come. So, from our school leadership, everybody's welcome. Uh, lastly, I'm just going to say I am glad we have air conditioning this room, but I hope it cools down all across the uh the Southland here. And let's hope that uh our investment in HVAC pays off more than not, let's just say, because we know they don't all work all the time. But again, I know Dr. Gooden's already on dealing with things that aren't. And um again, I'm glad that
071we were able to upgrade as much as we could on Measure. Yes. effort. So, uh I wish the climate change part of it would not make it so hard to keep up with, but um we're doing what we can. So, with that, I'm done and I wish everybody a good rest of the week. >> Thank you, President TMZ. Uh on the PTA front, I just uh PTA is is part of the engine that makes first days go. Um and first days don't happen the way that they do without PTA volunteers. And it's also if you think about too the PTA I mean it's their kids' first day too. Um but they're out there welcoming a lot of parents you mean like you know and also helping staff and and really for anyone for all the
072board that were at those meetings there's so much traffic uh happening as far as people being present. So having PTA there as as that auxiliary is is really important. So thank you to PTA. Uh on the ED side I I you a lot's been said. I just want to just highlight that annual giving is here. Um let's continue to make sure we get that message out. And you know, part of that message we talked about in the Ed Foundation meeting was about, you know, the why behind it, you know, like you know, we we talk often in terms of like the dollars, but you know, talking in terms of the programs, you know, and you know, like like like those dollars equal you like the winter performance. Um, so I just I I really appreciate
073the the dialogue. Uh gosh, was that today? Um, and just bearing that in mind as annual giving happens. Uh on the staff side, I I want to thank uh the folks uh you know, we have there's a lot of work that happens in preparation, but there's also summer school happening and there's TLC. And so I just want to give a shout out to all the staff members um that help make summer care possible and summer school possible uh and also at foundationmies. So from uh custodians, M IT, our admin assistants, I mean like our are working off and on during that time, food services uh and our TLC staff uh you know like my own children attend TLC. I want to give a special shout out to Miss Kelsey and Miss Jackie. It's a very
074long day. Um you know it's it's it's a long it's from 8 to to 5:00 and I'm I'm you know unfortunately Miss Jackie makes fun of me. I'm like the last parent picking up. So, I uh I just uh just really appreciate that care that takes place during the summer um to make it happen because parents are always scrambling where am I going to put my kid during the summer. Uh continuing on the staff side, just in the the spirit of summer work, I I want to acknowledge that that uh many of our teachers come in over the summer on their own time and set up their classrooms and how much that makes a difference at the start of school. Uh it's a lot of work. It takes a lot of time to make those
075classrooms as welcoming as possible and it just it does not go unnoticed and it's very appreciated you know especially at the elementary level as an elementary principal and just the the the amount of time is is long uh and uh and it does make a difference. Um so just very grateful to that. And then on the paid side, uh I want to thank um all those teachers who came uh to our summer empower sessions uh which were uh in many cases actually led by our own staff. These professional developments and then they were in the areas of uh our English language arts curriculum at the elementary level uh and also um universal design for learning, behavior support, uh gate or like advanced learning um extended instruction. And we built this professional development off of um
076feedback from our staff survey about what types of professional development they'd want to see for extended um as well as our our um other climate survey. Uh and we had up to in each session we had up to 40 people and I I I got to attend most of those sessions at least part of them and so just the the level of participation was really awesome and it was awesome to see people there. Um so thank you for those that came. Uh, on the student side, we had student speakers at the back school rally, and I would be remiss if I did not give them a shout out. So, I just want to thank Alex, Carson, Allesandre, uh, and Brandon. They were outstanding speakers. Um, and a lot of them did double duty because they
077also came and spoke at the new teacher orientation as well, too. Brandon, I'm looking at you. Thank you. And then I also want to thank our amazing dancing performers, Trinity, Sarah, Eliza, Kelsey, Leah, Alyssa, Yolana, and Talia. Um, they uh really had to work hard to overcome part of the performance. Um, so I just like it really showed their talent. Um, on uh back to school night is coming up uh in September, midseptember. Um, another big huge lift uh on the part of staff and I I just I I you know the the last two now going on three years that I've been here um our parents come out for back to school night and so that that does not go unnoticed either uh and just really grateful for our community's participation. I do feel
078that uh one of the reasons that we as a community get the achievement results that we get is because of that partnership. So just very grateful for um that just being something that we just we just assume that parents are going to show up. Um and then really want to encourage uh families, it's on the the the the district calendar, the very robust district calendar that the the coffee with the principal dates. Um you know, you have two new principles at the elementary and that's a great opportunity to get to know them and to meet them and interface and talk. So just strongly encourage attendance there. And then I too on uh want to extend my congratulations to the board uh for another four more happy years uh and and also the ability to pocket
079the cost of a county election as well too. That's more dollars for kids. So thank you all. Um and um I'll take any questions if you got them. >> Finally questions. Do you want to show us those dance moves here? Is there space if you wanted to? >> It's ended up on Instagram quite a bit. >> Okay. Yes. I'm sure there's footage somewhere. >> Okay. Just just good to have that in our back pocket. All right. Uh with that, we do not need to uh go into close session. So I can say happy adjournment at 7:04 p.m. Thank you. Got to end this.